Optimization Algorithm Based on Novelty Search Applied to the Treatment of Uncertainty in Models

[ES] La búsqueda novedosa es un nuevo paradigma de los algoritmos de optimización, evolucionarios y bioinspirados, que está basado en la idea de forzar la búsqueda del óptimo global en aquellas partes inexploradas del dominio de la función que no son atractivas para el algoritmo, con la intención de evitar estancamientos en óptimos locales. La búsqueda novedosa se ha aplicado al algoritmo de optimización de enjambre de partículas, obteniendo un nuevo algoritmo denominado algoritmo de enjambre novedoso (NS). NS se ha aplicado al conjunto de pruebas sintéticas CEC2005, comparando los resultados con los obtenidos por otros algoritmos del estado del arte. Los resultados muestran un mejor comportamiento de NS en funciones altamente no lineales, a cambio de un aumento en la complejidad computacional. En lo que resta de trabajo, el algoritmo NS se ha aplicado en diferentes modelos, específicamente en el diseño de un motor de combustión interna, en la estimación de demanda de energía mediante gramáticas de enjambre, en la evolución del cáncer de vejiga de un paciente concreto y en la evolución del COVID-19. Cabe remarcar que, en el estudio de los modelos de COVID-19, se ha tenido en cuenta la incertidumbre, tanto de los datos como de la evolución de la enfermedad.[CA] La cerca nova és un nou paradigma dels algoritmes d'optimització, evolucionaris i bioinspirats, que està basat en la idea de forçar la cerca de l'òptim global en les parts inexplorades del domini de la funció que no són atractives per a l'algoritme, amb la intenció d'evitar estancaments en òptims locals. La cerca nova s'ha aplicat a l'algoritme d'optimització d'eixam de partícules, obtenint un nou algoritme denominat algoritme d'eixam nou (NS). NS s'ha aplicat al conjunt de proves sintètiques CEC2005, comparant els resultats amb els obtinguts per altres algoritmes de l'estat de l'art. Els resultats mostren un millor comportament de NS en funcions altament no lineals, a canvi d'un augment en la complexitat computacional. En el que resta de treball, l'algoritme NS s'ha aplicat en diferents models, específicament en el disseny d'un motor de combustió interna, en l'estimació de demanda d'energia mitjançant gramàtiques d'eixam, en l'evolució del càncer de bufeta d'un pacient concret i en l'evolució del COVID-19. Cal remarcar que, en l'estudi dels models de COVID-19, s'ha tingut en compte la incertesa, tant de les dades com de l'evolució de la malaltia.[EN] Novelty Search is a recent paradigm in evolutionary and bio-inspired optimization algorithms, based on the idea of forcing to look for those unexplored parts of the domain of the function that might be unattractive for the algorithm, with the aim of avoiding stagnation in local optima. Novelty Search has been applied to the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm, obtaining a new algorithm named Novelty Swarm (NS). NS has been applied to the CEC2005 benchmark, comparing its results with other state of the art algorithms. The results show better behaviour in high nonlinear functions at the cost of increasing the computational complexity. During the rest of the thesis, the NS algorithm has been used in different models, specifically the design of an Internal Combustion Engine, the prediction of energy demand estimation with Grammatical Swarm, the evolution of the bladder cancer of a specific patient and the evolution of COVID-19. It is also remarkable that, in the study of COVID-19 models, uncertainty of the data and the evolution of the disease has been taken in account.Martínez Rodríguez, D. (2021). Optimization Algorithm Based on Novelty Search Applied to the Treatment of Uncertainty in Models [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/17899

Applicability to a pre-design tool of analytical models on the impact of composite laminates

Development of composite materials has caused that innovative features and capabilities are being sought for their use in new technology applications. Catastrophic events, like high velocity impacts, are likely to appear in elds where composite materials are being lately applied. Lightweight headgear for modern military ground forces, structural shielding for a knew orbiter spacecraft, or blades intended for high-e ciency wind turbines, are just some examples. The dynamic response of composite materials has become an essential knowledge. New set of tools need to be developed in order to spread this knowledge and decrease design cost. As compared to experimental testing and numerical methods, analytical models stand out as the cheapest and fastest way to provide preliminary results that successfully assist early design stages. The main goal of this project relies on laying the basics for the development of a predesign tool on the implementation of this latter type of models. This tool will support the early design of composite material structural components likely subjected to impact situations. During the last three decades, a great number of analytical models have being developed intended to theoretically predict the behavior under impact of composite materials. The present work covers the basics ndings on the eld. Two models, based on the impact over carbon ber, and glass and polymer ber composites, are selected and thoroughly described in order to evaluate their applicability into a pre-design tool. Description of both models are provided with the needed background and theoretical foundations. In order to evaluate the applicability of analytical models, a simple requirements-based method is presented. It is based on three broad requirements: good predictions, broad applicability and event sensitivity. Both analytical models are evaluated against these requirements. Results of this evaluation show how the rst model (carbon ber model) reproduces one speci c case with accuracy. In spite of this good agreement, there is no possibility to reproduce further environments. This makes the model non optimal to be implemented into a design tool. The second model (glass and polymer ber model) appears to successfully meet the three established requirements. Finally, some guidelines in the development of future analytical models under the method here described, and some possible paths to be followed in the implementation of the pre-design tool, are presented.Ingeniería Industria

Photonic molecules for improving the optical response of macroporous silicon photonic crystals for gas sensing purposes

In this paper, we report the benefits of working with photonic molecules in macroporous silicon photonic crystals. In particular, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that the optical properties of a resonant peak produced by a single photonic atom of 2.6 µm wide can be sequentially improved if a second and a third cavity of the same length are introduced in the structure. As a consequence of that, the base of the peak is reduced from 500 nm to 100 nm, while its amplitude remains constant, increasing its Q-factor from its initial value of 25 up to 175. In addition, the bandgap is enlarged almost twice and the noise within it is mostly eliminated. In this study we also provide a way of reducing the amplitude of one or two peaks, depending whether we are in the two- or three-cavity case, by modifying the length of the involved photonic molecules so that the remainder can be used to measure gas by spectroscopic methods.Postprint (published version

Results of the implementation of the System for the Integrated Assessment of Protected Areas (SIAPA) to the protected areas of the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Spain)

The long-term conservation of biodiversity and related ecosystems goods and services of the Autonomous Region of Madrid is jeopardized by the intensive resource-consuming development model followed by the region in the past few decades. This paper presents the aggregated results of the first integrated assessment of the protected areas of the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Spain) with the System for the Integrated Assessment of Protected Areas (SIAPA). Detailed results are also provided for individual protected areas as supplementary data. The assessment was done during 2009–2010, on ten protected areas differing in their sizes (from 2.5 to 52,796 ha), protection categories (seven categories) and types of ecosystems present. Comparison of results from both assessment models of the SIAPA (the Complete Model and the Simplified Model) is also presented. The results from the Complete Model show that eight out of the ten protected areas of the Autonomous Region of Madrid are currently ineffective. The poorest partial indexes overall were: “State of Conservation” and “Social and Economic Context”. The only indexes significantly correlated with the effectiveness of a protected area were: the “State of Conservation” (r = 0.851**) and the “Social Perception and Valuation” (r = 0.786**). Although not as relevant as was thought, “Management” and the other non-significant factors are likely to influence the effectiveness of protected areas as well. The results for the Simplified Model are slightly better than those for the Complete Model, although this is probably a specific result of this assessment. The two models of the SIAPA were very significantly correlated, although their aggregated results should not be compared directly.Peer reviewe

Proposal of a system for the integrated and comparative assessment of protected areas

Appendix A: Supplementary data http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.05.009Protected areas’ overall goal is to achieve the long-term conservation of natural and associated cultural goods and services. However, effective long-term conservation of natural and associated cultural resources cannot always be guaranteed by a protection regime or even by effective management, as it is usually assumed. The ultimate goal of assessing protected areas is therefore concerned less with management effectiveness than with their overall long-term effectiveness. This paper describes the methodology underpinning the System for the Integrated Assessment of Protected Areas (SIAPA). The aim of SIAPA is to make the concept of ‘effectiveness’ operational when applied to protected areas. It is an innovative, horizontal site-level assessment system for evaluating integrally and comparably the effectiveness of terrestrial protected areas, as the assessment is based on the same parameters. Indicators are the basic assessment units. They were weighted by an expert panel and integrated into six categories (indexes) defining the effectiveness of protected areas: state of conservation, planning, management, social and economic context, social perception and valuation, and threats to conservation. These indexes were subsequently integrated into a single super-index: an effectiveness index for the protected area. Two alternative models of the SIAPA were developed: the complete model, containing 43 indicators, in order to maximize the amount of information on each protected area; and the simplified model, containing 28 indicators, in order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the assessment.Peer reviewe

Protected Area Effectiveness in the Scientific Literature: A Decade-Long Bibliometric Analysis

Protected areas (PAs) aim to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services in the long term. Despite remarkable growth in the area covered by PAs in recent years, biodiversity trends still show worrisome outcomes. Here, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) of scientific articles focusing on the ecological effectiveness of PAs that were published in the 2010–2019 decade using Scopus in order to show the latest publication trends in that research field. After three consecutive screenings, we analyzed a final census sample of 76 articles that used semiexperimental research designs. We assessed 3 thematic variables (i.e., related to ecological effectiveness) and 13 bibliometric variables through descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation tests, and Kruskal–Wallis difference tests. Our results demonstrate the growing size of research teams working on this topic, broader international collaboration, and greater length of the articles published on this subject. During that decade, the number of normalized citations (+28%) and the mean field-weighted citation impact (FWCI) of the set of reviewed articles (33% higher than expected) increased. We also observed an increase in open access publications (+13%). However, this mode of publication did not ensure more citations. Finally, we observed a positive correlation between the number of normalized citations and the inclusion of Supplementary Data in the articles.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

A Centennial Path Towards Sustainability in Spanish National Parks: Biodiversity Conservation and Socioeconomic Development (1918-2018)

National Parks (NPs) were the first protected areas (PAs) designated in Spain one century ago. NPs are PAs of exceptional natural and cultural value that are representative of the Spanish natural heritage. Currently, there are 15 NPs in Spain covering almost 400,000 ha, although new site designations are being considered. Spanish NPs’ main objectives are closely linked to the sustainability concept: conserving natural and cultural assets in the long term and promoting public use, environmental awareness, research and socioeconomic development. Here, the history of modern nature conservation in Spain is summarized, with special focus on NPs. Moreover, the main monitoring and assessment initiatives in Spanish National Parks are reviewed. Finally, the major results of two current research projects focusing on the sustainability of Spanish NPs, DISESGLOB and SOSTPARK, are provided

Study of resonant modes in a 700 nm pitch macroporous silicon photonic crystal

In this study the modes produced by a defect inserted in a macroporous silicon (MP) photonic crystal (PC) have been studied theoretical and experimentally. In particular, the transmitted and reflected spectra have been analyzed for variations in the defect’s length and width. The performed simulations show that the resonant frequency is more easily adjusted for the fabricated samples by length tuning rather than width. The optimum resonance peak results when centered in the PC bandgap. The changes in the defect geometry result in small variations of the optical response of the PC. The resonance frequency is most sensitive to length variations, while the mode linewidth shows greater change with the defect width variation. Several MPS photonic crystals were fabricated by the electrochemical etching (EE) process with optical response in the range of 5.8 µm to 6.5 µm. Results of the characterization are in good agreement with simulations. Further samples were fabricated consisting of ordered modulated pores with a pitch of 700 nm. This allowed to reduce the vertical periodicity and therefore to have the optical response in the range of 4.4 µm to 4.8 µm. To our knowledge, modes working in this range of wavelengths have not been previously reported in 3-d MPS structures. Experimental results match with simulations, showing a linear relationship between the defect’s length and working frequency inside the bandgap. We demonstrate the possibility of tailoring the resonance peak in both ranges of wavelengths, where the principal absorption lines of different gases in the mid infrared are placed. This makes these structures very promising for their application to compact gas sensors.Postprint (author's final draft

Innovación, diseño e ingeniería de productos plásticos

La innovación, la investigación, el diseño, la aplicación de nuevas tecnologías y la sensibilización con el medio ambiente y la sociedad, es la base de este proyecto, que pretende ofrecer una alternativa a un producto ya existente, dotándolo de un valor añadido. El desarrollo de este proyecto, ha estado continuamente ligado a una necesidad: la creación y desarrollo de un producto alternativo y que a su vez tuviera un carácter innovador y atractivo, para lo que hemos tenido que hacer un estudio previo de las necesidades del mercado, así como realizar un estudio exhaustivo de las nuevas tecnologías ya existentes, los materiales más sensibilizados con el medio ambiente, así como aportar un diseño atractivo dotando al producto de una ergonomía y estructura acorde a las necesidades del consumidor. Durante el desarrollo del proyecto, no hemos aproximado al máximo al desarrollo de un producto, desde su primera idea o concepto, hasta su fabricación en serie. De esta manera se ha ido abordando las fases de su desarrollo y obteniendo en cada una de ellas un resultado, que ha ido dotando de un valor añadido al producto, ya sea por su diseño, por su material o por el conjunto de todas las fases, hasta adquirir el producto innovador y sostenible deseado

Sectorial holdings and stock prices: the household-bank nexus

Este trabajo analiza la evolución y las implicaciones en el precio de las acciones de las tenencias de acciones por parte de distintos sectores. Para ello se utiliza información detallada sobre el universo de acciones cotizadas de la zona del euro. Se encuentra lo siguiente: i) los hogares cuentan con un mayor peso en el accionariado de los bancos que en el de las empresas no financieras; ii) las tenencias de acciones de los hogares aumentan (disminuyen) cuando cae (sube) el precio de las acciones, especialmente cuando se trata de las acciones de bancos nacionales, y iii) un aumento de las tenencias de acciones de los hogares domésticos es seguido por incrementos persistentes del precio de las acciones de las empresas, mientras que esto no ocurre para los bancos. Además, tras una emisión de acciones, un aumento de la participación de los hogares en el accionariado de los bancos es seguido por una caída del precio de estas acciones, mientras que esto no ocurre en las empresas. Nuestros resultados sugieren que los hogares actúan como proveedores de liquidez en los mercados de acciones, si bien al mismo tiempo están sujetos a asimetrías de información. Este último mecanismo puede ser más relevante cuando los hogares compran las acciones de los bancos, dadas las estrechas relaciones entre las entidades y los hogares.We analyze the evolution and price implications of aggregate sectorial holdings of stocks, using detailed information on the universe of publicly traded stocks in the euro area. We document that: i) households’ (HH) direct holdings represent a higher fraction of total ownership in domestic bank stocks than in non-financial corporation (NFC) stocks; ii) HH holdings of stocks increase (decrease) following a decline (increase) in the stock price, especially for domestic bank stocks; and iii) an increase in domestic HH holdings is followed by future (persistent) increases in the price of NFC stocks, but not for bank stocks. Moreover, during equity issuances, an increase in the share of domestic HH holdings is followed by a future (persistent) decrease in the stock price of bank stocks, but not for NFC stocks. Our results are consistent with HH being liquidity providers in the stock market, and at the same time subject to negative information asymmetries. We argue that this latter effect is more prevalent in domestic bank stocks than in NFC given the close relationships between HH and banks